June & AGM News

This month's news comes under the banner of a new Committee elected steer your Club through the 2018 Club year. Thanks to all those who made it to the AGM, with congratulations to new Committee member and Vice President Ron Tito and returning Committee members after a tight electoral contest. The positions of Ride Coordinator and Social Secretary remain vacant and will have a direct impact on Club activities. It is never too late to hold up your hand and have a go, so see, call or email me if you’re interested or would like to know what is involved.

John Kemp (r) was the second winner of the AGM mystery raffle, a multi-tool that Martin Robertson (l) was keen to see if the smaller 'hammer' would be better at panel beating his rocker cover than an axe if ever required again. Commiserations to Jane Smee who had her first winning ticket vetoed by the President on the promise of an alternate prize of equal or greater value.

Please join me in welcoming our newest members John Connolly (F800GSA), Rod Griffiths (R1200RT), Michael Antrum and Peter Walter (F650GS) and say hello when you meet at your next event.

Past Rides. Daniel, Peter (Hoss), Douglas and me made a reverse ride 'up' the Lachlan River over the ACT Reconciliation Day long weekend. Day 1 was a scenic backroad ride to Kat's Post Office Hotel Maude, followed by Day 2 and ~300km of dirt to Condobolin via Oxley and Mossgiel to Hillston before a 184km 'slab' run to Condobolin in the gathering dusk in preference to the planned dirt and abundant kangaroos and emus. This road was GS country with a mix of hard compact surfaces interspersed with rutted sand/dust traps to make sure you paid attention. Day 3 saw us undertake a transport stage to Cowra, before a navigator failure by ride lead (I won’t need paper maps for this part) and electronic (plug fell apart) saw the group inexpertly led to Yass rather than Grabben Gullen - on a mix of dirt and bitumen; in any case the scenery was nice and no traffic :) A quick route recalculation saw us ride up the Hume, before shaming Hoss into joining us for coffee in Gunning before riding out to the 'source' of the Lachlan River near Breadalbane. A succesful expedition with an opportune train arrival at the crossing allowing for farewells before an evening ride down the highway and home.

Upcoming Rides/Events. Outgoing Social Secretary Martin Robertson has organised our joint 7-8 July weekend with BMWMCCVIC in Tumbarumba andChristmas-in-Winter. Check it out and register for a winter's ride (or drive) and dinner at a winery with transport to/from your accommodation. A great event for that non-riding partner and no reason not to go even if your bike is parked up for winter.

Your Club is hosting the National Motorrad Rally in the scenic village of Wallerawang NSW over the October long weekend. Sealed roads all the way with motel, hotel and free camping options on hand. There are opportunities to assist, lead or go on some local loop rides, come along to the group dinner with other BMW Club members and chance to win a BMW G310GS motorcycle with your raffle ticket. You need to phone and book accommodation ASAP and register here BMW Clubs Australia National Motorrad Rally 2018 (Club Event).

A major event of the rally will be the raffle with proceeds donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, BMW Group Australia and Dealer network corporate charity. With only 600 $20 tickets, the odds are better than most raffles and money going to a worthy cause. You do not need to be at the rally and draw or a member of any BMW Club to buy a ticket.

Some members have already purchased a ticket(s) along with other BMW Club members and the public - THANKS. If you haven't then please consider buying a ticket and where possible offer to take a book of 10 tickets to sell at work or amongst friends and family.

A special shout out here to our newest member Peter Walter for purchasing 10 tickets*

New to the Club? You have access to the Club website 'blog' that allows you to share your ride stories and pictures and member only pages. Or for the social media types join the Club Facebook page. And if your renewing motorcycle insurance then don't forget to mention that you are a member of a club and ask for a discount.

The Committee has also agreed to continue the $100 subsidy for advanced rider training and $50 for first aid training through the 2018 year. Details and eligibility on the website hereMember Rider & First Aid Training.